First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “If silence seems to give approval, then remaining silent is cowardly.”
Ever since the nation’s founding in 1776, free speech and assembly have been the cornerstone of American democracy.
These movements have given a voice to those who are commonly exploited or undervalued. People who the world thought were too different, too radical, or even too young.
Student activism has been an integral part of the U.S. for years. From sit-ins during the Civil Rights Movement to protests against the Vietnam War, the courage shown by younger generations has—and continues—to shape American history.
In 1969, the Supreme Court ruled that students “do not shed their rights at the schoolhouse gates.” This case, known as Tinker v. Des Moines, overturned a school policy punishing John and Mary Beth Tinker for wearing black armbands in protest of the Vietnam War. This event not only highlights America’s value of free speech, but serves as a reminder that change isn’t always sparked by the loudest voices, but by the most persistent ones.
On Friday, February 6, the students of Eleanor Roosevelt came together to exercise their First Amendment rights. During this walkout, students protested the recent activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Recent ICE raids have stirred disapproval among many Americans due to their violence and failure to follow due process.
Students gave speeches, held up signs, and rallied to raise awareness for the negative impact ICE is having on the lives of immigrants and America as a whole. During their speeches, students highlighted the importance of standing up and refusing to be silent, just as First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt once did.
“I can guarantee that one day all of this is going to be in our grandchildren’s history books,” ERHS student Max Neimeyer said during his speech. “So we have a choice to make. What are you gonna tell them? Are we going to tell them that we stood back and did nothing? Or are we gonna tell them that we got to be the good guys, that we’re on the right side of history?”
“Ice isn’t after me. But to think that that means that I shouldn’t care is insane,” Neimeyer continued. “I care because some of my best friends are immigrants. I care because I can watch as classrooms fill with empty, quiet seats. I care because I’m human.”
The walkout emphasized the message of unity and perseverance, demonstrating the power that students have to fight for what they believe in.
“Homeland security is the same hand that has taken the lives of eight innocent people this year alone, and countless more,” said Ellie Chong, another ERHS student who spoke during the walkout. “So let’s break the silence they rely on. Let’s speak the names they want us to forget.”
Chong led the crowd in reciting the names of the individuals whose lives were taken by ICE. These people included Víctor Manuel Díaz, Parady La, Luis Núñez Cáceres, Geraldo Lunas Campos, Luis Beltrán, Heber Sánchez Domínguez, Renee Nicole Good, and Alex Pretti.
Chong ended by saying, “Remember your voice. Remember your power. This country was founded on resisting tyranny. It was founded by people who refused to be silenced. That is the legacy we’ve inherited, and that is the real American identity. And we will be heard.”
Today, students have a responsibility to exercise free speech, not just for themselves, but for those who can’t. For those who have suffered in silence. And those who hope for a better future.
